FAFSA Verification

Verification is a process to confirm that the information provided on the FAFSA is accurate. Each year, the federal government randomly selects approximately 30% of ALL students submitting the FAFSA for verification. Most applications are selected at random; others because of inconsistent information. UNF reserves the right to select students for verification, if discrepant information is received.

Verification ensures that the information students and parents report on their FAFSA is accurate. Verification prevents ineligible students from receiving aid if they reported incorrect information and ensures that eligible students receive all of the aid for which they are qualified.

The FAFSA uses income information from two years prior. Be sure you are paying attention and providing income information for the correct year.

NO federal, state (other than Bright Futures) or institutional financial aid will be disbursed to students selected for verification until the process is completed, discrepancies are resolved and any necessary corrections are submitted and processed by UNF.

If selected for verification by the U.S. Department of Education or by UNF, students will be required to submit a signed official IRS Tax Return Transcript (if they filed a tax return) and W2s/1099s.

Dependent students must also submit a signed official parent IRS Tax Return Transcript and W2s/1099s.

Independent married students must submit spouse W2s/1099s and a signed IRS Tax Return Transcript, if their spouse filed taxes separately.

Official Tax Return Transcripts may be obtained by:

Using the "Get Transcript Online" tool from the IRS Web site to download a .PDF copy of your IRS Tax Return Transcript.

Using the "Get Transcript by Mail" option on the IRS Web site to have your IRS Tax Return Transcript mailed to you.

Downloading Form 4506-T, "Request for Transcript of Tax Return," to mail or fax to the IRS to request a copy of your IRS Tax Return Transcript.

Using the IRS2Go mobile app.

NOTE: Per new federal legislation governing financial aid, beginning in the 2012-2013 academic year, students/parents/spouses may no longer submit copies of 1040 IRS tax returns to satisfy verification requirements. Only official, signed IRS Tax Return Transcripts will be acceptable.

Other information may be requested to meet Federal Verification Regulation requirements. If selected for verification, the financial award is an estimate and subject to change based on the results of the verification process.

Guidelines for students completing the verification process:

Carefully observe verification deadlines.

Complete all sections of the Verification Document fully. Do not leave an answer blank. If the answer is zero, write a zero. if the question does not apply to you, write an N/A. View sample Verification Document.

Submit copies of all requested documents to One-Stop Student Services. UNF does not retain hard copies of documents submitted. All hard copies will be destroyed and cannot be returned.

Sign the Verification Document and IRS Tax Return Transcript and write the student N number at the top of each page.

Keep copies of all documents submitted during the verification process.

Frequently check "Student Requirements" under the Financial Aid Tab in myWings to see if any clarification documents have been requested, or if any documents have been listed as incomplete or unsatisfactory.

The verification process allows the University to verify the information on the FAFSA by comparing it with the requested documentation. If changes are warranted, the University will make the changes based on the documentation received from the student, electronically send the changes to the government and wait for the government to approve the changes. Once the government approves the changes, the University will adjust the financial award, if necessary.

The Office of Student Financial Aid will officially notify students who are institutionally selected for verification by sending a notification to their secure UNF e-mail address that details the regulation that allows schools to institutionally select students / FAFSAs for verification, what initial documents should be completed and submitted, the deadline to complete the verification process and the ramifications for not completing the verification process.

Deadline for completing the verification process:

If selected, the deadline for an otherwise eligible student to submit verification documents is the last day of summer B classes or 120 days after the last day of the student's enrollment, whichever is earlier.

Overpayments:

In the event
that financial aid eligibility has changed due to a verification resulting
in overpayment to the student, the necessary funds will be returned to the
Department of Education or to the lender (if a student loan). The student will
receive an email notification to view the awards online and will be billed by the
Office of Student Financial Services.

Failure to complete the verification process:

All students selected for verification at any time while being enrolled in an award year must complete verification in order to establish or maintain eligibility for federal aid funds. For example, a student that has received federal aid based upon a FAFSA that was not originally selected for verification may have their FAFSA selected for verification later on in the award year. A student in this situation may not receive any further disbursement of federal aid during the award year in question until the verification process is completed. If verification is completed and it does not justify all or part of a Pell Grant, FSEOG or student loan that was already disbursed to a student during the award year, the University of North Florida will return the amount of Pell Grant, FSEOG or student loan funding, for which the student is no longer eligible, back to the federal government. This may result in a balance owed to the University. If verification is not completed by the verification deadline date established annually, then the student will have failed to meet the verification deadline. The University will be required to return all of the Pell Grant, FSEOG or student loan funding the student received during the award year back to the federal government. Again, this may cause a balance owed to the University.